irascibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "irascibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a tendency to be easily provoked to anger or irritability. Example: "His irascibility made it difficult for him to maintain friendships, as he would often lash out over minor issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But there was a hint of irascibility in February 2009 when he told a group of Chinese in Mexico that "well-fed foreigners with nothing better to do" were "pointing their fingers" at China.

The Economist

According to Brigadier Mahmood Shah, the army officer who drafted the deal with Nek Muhammad, Haji Omar's main weakness is a certain irascibility caused by a Soviet bullet lodged in his brain.

The Economist

A list of their faults could continue with irascibility, narcissism, idiosyncracy, high-handedness and a poor taste in friends.

The Economist

Patience relates the biblical story of Jonah as a human comedy of petulance and irascibility set off against God's benign forbearance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The reasons for this are unclear, but probably his immense reserve and his inability to express emotions in any other way but musically were responsible, and he no doubt was aware that his natural irascibility and resentment of sympathy would have made him an impossible husband.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As Amis grew older, though, his irascibility vehemently swiveled toward left-wing and progressive targets, and he established himself as a Tory satirist in the vein of Waugh or Powell.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was nearly blind and suffered from extreme irascibility, which made his attendants go in constant fear of their lives.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Her pain at his irascibility with her (literally the Gospel truth: "Who is my mother?": Matthew, 12 48) is harrowing.

Independent

His Turing has the same mix of vulnerability and irascibility that Colin Firth brought to the stuttering Bertie in The King's Speech.

Independent

Yet what the film tries to project as Dury's loveable irascibility too often just looks like charmlessness; given that the portrait was sanctioned by his son Baxter, you suspect that the rock-star bad behaviour might have been even worse than it's depicted here.

Independent

It left me uncertain of how to feel about this sub-sect of society, so goodness knows how anyone of a more traditionally puce-faced irascibility might react.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "irascibility" when you want to denote a consistent trait of being easily angered or provoked, often due to internal or external stressors. It's more formal than "short temper" and implies a deeper-seated tendency.

Common error

Avoid using "irascibility" to describe a single instance of anger or frustration. "Irascibility" refers to a general disposition. For isolated incidents, use terms like "anger", "irritation", or "outburst".

Linguistic Context

The noun "irascibility" functions as a subject or object within a sentence, describing the quality or state of being easily angered or provoked. Ludwig shows its use across various contexts, denoting a consistent trait rather than a fleeting emotion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "irascibility" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that describes the quality of being easily angered or provoked. Ludwig shows the word is used across a wide range of contexts, particularly in news media and encyclopedias. When using "irascibility", it's essential to denote a consistent personality trait rather than a temporary state of anger. Consider using synonyms like "irritability" or "short temper" in more casual contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, understanding its nuance and appropriate usage can enhance the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irritability

Focuses on the state of being easily annoyed, a more general term.

short temper

Emphasizes the quickness with which someone becomes angry.

quick temper

Similar to "short temper", but may imply a more explosive reaction.

bad temper

A general term for a disposition to become angry easily.

choleric disposition

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of describing a tendency to anger.

easily provoked

Highlights the ease with which someone can be made angry.

testiness

Implies a grumpy or irritable mood.

petulance

Suggests childish or bad-tempered behavior.

grouchiness

Describes a habitually grumpy or complaining demeanor.

crabbiness

Suggests an ill-tempered and unpleasant attitude.

FAQs

How to use "irascibility" in a sentence?

"Irascibility" describes the quality of being easily provoked to anger. For instance, "His "irascibility" made him difficult to work with" or "The medication seemed to increase her "irascibility"".

What can I say instead of "irascibility"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "irritability", "short temper", "bad temper", or "testiness". "Irritability" is a general term, while the others suggest quickness to anger or an unpleasant mood.

Is "irascibility" a formal word?

Yes, "irascibility" is considered a relatively formal word. In more casual contexts, "short temper" or "irritability" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "irascibility" and "irritation"?

"Irascibility" describes a general disposition or tendency to become easily angered or annoyed. "Irritation", on the other hand, refers to a specific feeling of annoyance or frustration in a particular moment or situation.